Electric dry shaver

ABSTRACT

An electric dry shaver having a cutter head and cutter drive means disposed within a cutter head receptacle of a shaver casing. Manually operable means are provided for moving the cutter head out of the receptacle clear of the cutter drive means and which means are further operable to return the cutter head to the receptacle into operative engagement with the cutter drive means.

United States Patent Daniels [451 Jan. 23, 1973 ELECTRIC DRY SHAVER John F. Daniels, Bridgeport, Conn.

Sperry Rand Corporation, New York,N.Y.

Filed: Dec. 30, 1970 Appl. No.: 102,850

Inventor:

Assignee:

US. Cl ..30/43.92 Int. Cl ..B26b 19/10, B26b 19/38 Field o1Search....30/4l.6, 43, 43.3, 43.9, 43.91,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1951 Berg ..30/34.1

3,339,276 9/1967 Tolmie et al. ..30/43.92

3,413,718 12/1968 Baumann ..30/34.l 3,501,835 3/1970 Moret et a1..... ..30/43.92 3,552,006 1/1971 Baumann et al ..30/34.1

Primary Examiner-Robert C. Riordon Attorney-Charles R. Miranda and Robert W. Ely

[57] ABSTRACT An electric dry shaver having a cutter head and cutter drive means disposed within a cutter head receptacle of a shaver casing. Manually operable means are provided for moving the cutter head out of the receptacle clear of the cutter drive means and which means are further operable to return the cutter head to the receptacle into operative engagement with the cutter drive means.

6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH23 I973 SHEET 1 BF 3 INVENTOR. Ja/m Z'flmuels ELECTRIC DRY SHAVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to new and useful improvements in electric dry shavers.

Electric dry shavers generally include a casing having a receptacle or other portion of the casing in which is mounted the cutter head. The cutter head comprises at least one stationary slotted outer cutter and an inner cutter which is mounted for movement relative to the outer cutter and provided with teeth for shearing whiskers which enter the outer cutter. The inner cutter is connected to motor operated drive means which move the cutter either in a rotary, linear or oscillatory path in accordance with the parameters of the design of the particular shaver. In the course of the use of the shaver, hair clippings, facial powders and the like pass through the slots in the outer cutter and accumulate within the cutter head. Further it has been found that after repeated use the inner cutter will become dull and it is desirable that the same be replaced to restore the cutting efficiency of the cutter head.

In most electric shavers only the slotted portion of the cutter head is exposed at the outer surface of the shaver with the wall portions of the casing protecting the unexposed portions from damage. Various means have been provided therefore for detachably mounting the cutter head on the shaver whereby the same may be readily removed by a user for cleaning and if necessary for replacing the movable cutter. In most shavers the cutter head is held within the receptacle either by clips, screws, latch means or the like. Certain of these latter latch mechanisms include spring biased ejection or release devices which are operable for releasing the cutter head from the cutter head receptacle upon actuation of the mechanism from without the casing. In another type shaver the cutter head and drive means are mounted within a casing which is disposed within an outer sleeve like enclosure casing. Means are provided for shifting the inner casing relative to the sleeve casing to move the cutter head to a position clear of the sleeve casing whereat it may be cleaned.

Although these shavers have proven satisfactory, certain inconveniences are present in use. In those shavers where the cutter head is released or partially ejected from the cutter head receptacle, for instance, the cutter head is usually detached from the drive means and must be manually grasped and removed for cleaning and then pressed back into the receptacle to restore the same into operative engagement with the cutter drive means and into attached position with the mounting mechanism. In other shavers where the cutter means is extended from the shaver casing for cleaning, the cutter head is secured to the drive means and the complete cutter head assembly must be removed from the shaver when the inner cutters are to be replaced or individually cleaned.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel electric dry shaver having novel means for mounting a cutter head assembly.

Another object is to provide novel means for supporting the cutter head for movement from an operative position in engagement with the cutter drive means to a cleaning position clear of the shaver casing and free of the drive means.

Another object is to provide novel means for controlling movement of a cutter head assembly from a cleaning position to a restored position on the cutter drive means without the need of manually grasping the cutter head.

A still further object is to provide novel means for moving a cutter head between shaving and cleaning positions where the cutter head may be moved in paths which extend either in or out of the plane of the longitudinal axis of the shaver casing in accordance with the design of the shaver.

A still further object is to provide a novel cutter head mounting and elevating means which requires a minimum number of parts and area of operation within a shaver casing and which means does not interfere with the other and adjacent mechanisms of the shaver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates an electric shaver having novel means for mounting a cutter head within the casing and for supporting the cutter head for movement between shaving and cleaning positions. In one embodiment of the present invention, the shaver comprises a casing having a receptacle provided in one end thereof in which is disposed the cutter head. The cutter head comprises a plurality of stationary cutters having a cutting surface exposed in the receptacle and in which outer cutters are arranged movable inner cutters. Support means are provided upon which the cutter head assembly is mounted and which support means are mounted for movement within the casing. Actuating means are provided for moving the support means whereby the cutter head assembly is elevated clear of the cutter head receptacle. The actuating means is further operable to restore the cutter head from the cleaning position into operative engagement with the drive means.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein two embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric dry shaver in which is incorporated an embodiment of the present invention and shows the cutter head assembly of the shaver in an elevated cleaning position;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side elevational view of the shaver with the cutter head assembly in a restored and operative position within the shaver casing;

FIG. 3 is a partly fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the upper portion of the shaver and shows portions of the cutter head support and actuating means in the lower position of the cutter head assembly;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 and showsthe support means in upper position with the cutter head: in cleaning position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cutter head supporting frame;

FIG. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in another shaver with portions of the shaver casing broken away to show the cutter head support means;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 with parts of the shaver removed; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawing for a more detailed description of the present invention an electric dry shaver is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Shaver 10 is of premolded plastic material and formed of two casing sections 11 and 12 respectively (FIG. 1). Each casing section 11 and 12 is formed oppositely to the other and each section has sidewalls 13 and 14 respectively (FIG. 2) together with laterally extending end walls 15 (FIG. 1). End walls 15 of easing section 11 are so constructed that the edges thereof engage the edges of end walls 15 of easing section 12 to provide a substantially closed casing having an open portion at one end thereof defining a cutter head receptacle portion 16 (FIG. 2) in which is arranged a cutter head assembly 17. Suitable means such as clamps, screws or the like (not shown) are provided to maintain casing sections 11 and 12 in assembled relationship.

The lower wall of cutter head receptacle 16 is defined by a rectangular partition plate 20 (FIGS. 2 & 3) having a depending flange 22 secured to side wall 14 of section 12 by screws 24. Plate 20 separates cutter head receptacle 16 from the motor compartment 25 of the shaver. A motor 27 (FIG. 3) of any suitable wellknown construction having a rotatable drive shaft 28 is disposed within compartment 25. A battery pack 29 is arranged adjacent motor 27. A switch 30 is provided for establishing an electrical connection between battery pack 29 and motor 27 to effect rotation of drive shaft 28.

Cutter drive means 32 for cutter head assembly 17 are arranged in compartment 25 and include a support plate 34 secured to motor 27. Cutter drive means 32 include a cutter drive member 37 of known construction having a plurality of cutter drive arms 39 which extend through aligned openings 41 (FIG. 3) in plate 20 and the cutter head receptacle 16. Cutter drive member 37 is adapted to reciprocate on flexible jointed legs 43 and 45 in a known manner and comprises three movable surfaces (one shown and indicated at 47 in FIG. 3) each having a drive arm 39 (FIG. 2). The ends of legs 43-45 are seated on flanges 49-50 of plate 34 and upon operation of motor 27 eccentrics 48 on shaft 28 drive arms 39 in a recipricatory path on flexible leg portions 43-45.

Cutter head assembly 17 (FIG. 3) includes three cutter head units 52 secured in any suitable manner in spaced side-by-side relationship on a mounting plate 53. Each cutter head unit 52 include a stationary U- shaped tubular outer cutter 56 which is open at opposite ends thereof and in which outer cutter 56 is disposed an elongated inner cutter 58. Inner cutters 58 are of a known type construction such as that shown In U.S. Pat. No. 2,793,430 to L. C. Carissimi dated May cooperation with their associated outer cutters 56 by each a leaf spring member 60 (one partially shown in FIG. 2) of the general type shown in the mentioned patent.

Cutter arms 39 of drive member '37 extend through openings 41 in plate 20 and through aligned openings 62 in cutter assembly 17 to engage leaf springs 60 for reciprocating inner cutters 58 relative to outer cutters 56 in a well-known manner upon operation of motor 27. Hair guide combs 61 are provided adjacent the sides of cutter head assembly 17 for combing whiskers into outer cutters 56.

As mentioned it is a feature of the present invention to provide novel means for-raising cutter head assembly 17 out of cutter head receptacle 16 clear of drive arms 39. To this end support means comprising a frame 64 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 6) is provided. Frame 64 includes a flat body portion 66 having a pair of side flanges 67. Cutter head assembly 17 is seated on body portion 66 between flanges 67 and which flanges 67 support the combs 61. Cutter head 17 is secured to body 66 in any suitable manner such as by clamps 68. A pair of legs 69 and 70 depend from the opposite ends of body portion 66. Legs 69 and 70 extend from cutter head receptacle 16 into motor compartment 25 and lie against the inner surfaces of end walls 15 of casing sections 11 and 12. Shallow recesses 72 are provided on the opposite inner surfaces of end walls 15 as shown with respect to one end wall in FIGS. 4 and 5 to receive legs 69-70 and which recesses have spaced edge portions 73 to position legs 69-70 therein.

Means for mounting frame 64 further include a T- shaped actuating plate 76 lying adjacent the inner surface of sidewall 14. A pair of elongated slots 78 and 80 (FIGS. 3 and 4) are provided in plate 76 and lie over spaced bosses 79 and 81 of wall 14 to maintain frame plate in slidable position thereon. A pair of tab end portions 83 are provided on arms 84-85 of plate 76 and which tabs 83 are inserted in elongated slots 88-90 respectively in depending legs 69-70.

28, 1957. Inner cutters 58 are maintained in cutting An extension 92 of arm 85 projects outwardly through an opening 94 in end wall 15 (FIG. 3) and is secured to an actuator member comprising a button 96 slidably positioned on the outer surface of casing 10. As seen in FIG. 3 in operative position of cutter head 17 a pair of spring detents 98 on plate 20 engage the upper ends of resilient fingers 99 formed on legs 69 and to prevent movement of cutter head support frame 64.

In accordance with the described arrangement, if it is assumed that a person desires to elevate cutter head assembly 17 to a cleaning position from the operative position in engagement with cutter drive means 32 (FIGS. 2 and 3), he slides button 96 in the direction designated by arrow A in FIG. 3. As button 96 moves, actuating plate 76 slides on bosses 79 and 81 and tabs 83, on arms 84-85 of actuating plate 76 in slots 88-90 of support frame 64, cam against the edge surfaces of slots 88-90 to cause support frame 64 to move upwardly in guide recesses 72. As frame 64 moves upwardly fingers 99 are released from detents 98 and simultaneously cutter head assembly 17 is elevated off drive arms 39 and moves outwardly of receptacle 16.

As will be appreciated the limits of upward movement of cutter frame 64 and actuating plate 76 is determined by the engagement of bosses 79 and 81 with the base of slots 73 and 80 (FIGS. 2 and 5). In this position (FIG. 5) cutter head assembly 17 is raised to position clear of the walls of the cutter head receptacle l6 and in which position the cutter head may be cleaned by inserting a brush (not shown) or the like through the open ends of the cutter units. Further in this position inner cutters 58 are clear of drive arms 39 and may be removed from the outer cutters 56.

If it is desired to return cutter head assembly 17 into receptacle 16, from the position of FIG. 5 then button 96 is moved in the direction designated by the arrow B in FIG. 3 causing tabs 83 on arms 84-85 of plate 76 to press down on the edges of slots 88-90 of frame 64 moving the frame downwardly in casing 10, guided by bosses 79-81 to a point where the latter engages the tops of slots 78-80 at lower limit position restoring cutter head assembly 17 into receptacle 16. As frame 64 reaches its lower limit position (FIGS. 3 and 4) detents 98 reengage fingers 99 and cutter head is restored to operative engagement on drive arms 39.

As will be appreciated, the slots 73 in which legs 69 and 70 are located, on the end walls of the casing, are

formed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the casing 10. And, the tabs 83, of arms 84-85, slide in elongated slots 88-90 of the legs 69 and 70 as the actuator plate 76 is moved. Thus, as the actuator plate 76 is moved in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casing 10 (FIG. 2), at the same time, the legs 69 and 70 move the cutter head assembly 17 on frame 64 in a different direction (angularly) relative to the direction of movement of the actuator plate 76.

In FIGS. 7 to 9 is shown another embodiment of the present invention wherein a modification thereof is illustrated as adapted for use with a shaver 102. Shaver 102 comprises a casing 103 wherein the cutter head receptacle 107 (FIG. 7) is provided in a sidewall 104. A cutter head assembly 109 of any selected type, such as that previously described is shown in broken line outline in FIG. 7. Support means for cutter head assembly 109 comprise a frame 110 having a pair of depending leg portions 112-114 (FIG. 8) extending from the cutter head receptacle of casing 103 into the motor compartment 115. Spaced leg portions 112 and 114 are each provided with a pair of elongated slots 116 mounted on bosses 118 (FIG. 8) in the surfaces of the inner walls of casing 103.

A motor 122 and batteries 123 are provided within motor compartment 115. A cutter drive member 125 is mounted on end plate 126 of motor 122 and is provided with cutter drive arms 128 extending through wall portion 129 into cutter head receptacle 107 for engagement with the inner cutters of the cutter head assembly 109. An extension arm 131 (FIG. 9) is provided on leg 114 and is formed with an open slot 132 which is disposed on a lug 134. Lug 134 is secured to an actuator button 135 (FIGS. 7 and 9) which is slidably mounted for movement in the direction of arrows C and D (FIG. 9). A spring plate 136 is also secured to button 135 within casing 103 and is provided with a detent portion 137 which is slidably disposed against a keeper plate 138 affixed to the inner walls of casing 103 in any suitable manner.

In FIG. 7 cutter head 109 is shown in the cleaning or elevated position clear of receptacle 107 and drive member 125. If it is desired to lower cutter head assembly 109 into receptacle 107 from this position then button 135 is moved downwardly (arrow D) causing lug 134 to bear against the edges of slot 132 and thereby moving frame downwardly on bosses 118 until the cutter head 109 engages drive member 125. The inter-connection of lug 134 to slot 132 allows for the angular displacement of frame 110 relative to button 136 as button 136 moves along the outer surface of casing 103.

Cutter head 109 is raised to the position of FIG. 7 (from that shown in FIG. 9) by sliding button 136 in the direction of arrow C causing frame 110 to move upwardly on bosses 118 to the upper position. In this position (as seen in FIG. 7) detent 137 is seated in the indented portion of keeper plate 138 to hold the cutter head in elevated position for cleaning.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the novel electric dry shaver has many advantages, in use. One advantage among others is that the cutter head can be moved between operative and cleaning positions without being manually grasped by the user. The novel support and actuator means for the cutter head further permit the cutter head and support means to be moved in a different direction than the actuator mechanism thereby providing elevating means which are adapted for use in shavers having casings of varying and diverse configurations and is not limited to any one type casing concept.

It is to be expressly understood that the cutter head assembly is not limited to the embodiment illustrated and described. Various changes can be made in design and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. An electric dry shaver comprising,

a. a casing having boss means formed on an inner surface thereof,

b. cutter head support means within said casing, said support means including a frame member, said frame member having a body portion for supporting said cutter head and having first and second leg portions depending from said body portion, each of said leg portions having a slot formed therein,

0. a cutter head arranged on said support means,

d. means mounting said support means for movement between spaced limit positions in said casing,

e. said mounting means including actuating means in said casing for effecting movement of said support means between said spaced limit positions, said actuating means including a movable plate member having a slot therein, said boss means disposed in said plate member slot for guiding movement of said plate member, cam means on said plate member movable in said leg portion slots for effecting movement of said leg portions and thus said support means,

f. means operable from without said casing for controlling operation of said actuating means in movement of said support means to and between said limit positions, said mounting means including means in said casing for guiding the movement of said frame when said controlling means is operated,

g. cutter drive means disposed within said casing and operably engaged with said cutter head in the first limit position, and

h. said controlling means being operable to move said support means to the second limit position to disengage said cutter head from the drive means and being further operable to return said support means to the first limit position to reengage said cutter head withsaid drive means.

2. The shaver of claim 1 wherein said mounting means include means for displacing said cutter head and support means in a direction other than the direction of movement of said actuating means.

3. The shaver of claim 1 wherein said cutter head is disposed within a cutter head receptacle in said casing in the first limit position of said support means and is elevated clear of said receptacle in the second limit position.

4. The shaver of claim 1 wherein said controlling means include a slide member slidably mounted on the outer surface of the shaver casing, and said slide member having a portion extending into said casing and connected to said actuator plate.

5. The shaver of claim 4 wherein detent means are provided in said casing for detenting said support means in either of said limit positions.

6. An electric dry shaver comprising,

a. a casing having a cutter head receptacle,

b. support means in said casing,

c. a cutter head arranged within said receptacle on said support means,

d. cutter drive means within said casing and operatively engageable with said cutter head,

e. means mounting said support means for movement between a pair of spaced limit positions within said casing,

. control means for moving said cutter head from one of the limit positions to the other of the limit positions whereat said cutter head is disposed out of said cutter head receptacle and said cutter head is disengaged from said drive means and further operable to restore said cutter head to said one of the limit positions whereat said cutter head is disposed in said receptacle and is in operative engagement with said drive means,

. said support means including a frame member having a pair of spaced legs depending into said casing and beneath said receptacle, said legs having opposed slots formed therein,

. said mounting means including spaced bosses on the walls of said casing, said bosses respectively slidably engaged in the slots formed in said frame member legs, and

i. said control means including a manually movable slide member slidably mounted on the outer surface of said casing, said slide member having a portion extending into said casing, one of said frame member legs having an extended portion, a second slot formed in the extended portion of said frame member leg, a cam member on said extended portion of said slide member disposed in said second slot and operable to bear against the walls of said second slot to effect movement of said frame and thus the cutter head when said slide member is manually moved on said casing. 

1. An electric dry shaver comprising, a. a casing having boss means formed on an inner surface thereof, b. cutter head support means within said casing, said support means including a frame member, said frame member having a body portion for supporting said cutter head and having first and second leg portions depending from said body portion, each of said leg portions having a slot formed therein, c. a cutter head arranged on said support means, d. means mounting said support means for movement between spaced limit positions in said casing, e. said mounting means including actuating means in said casing for effecting movement of said support means between said spaced limit positions, said actuating means including a movable plate member having a slot therein, said boss means disposed in said plate member slot for guiding movement of said plate member, cam means on said plate member movable in said leg portion slots for effecting moVement of said leg portions and thus said support means, f. means operable from without said casing for controlling operation of said actuating means in movement of said support means to and between said limit positions, said mounting means including means in said casing for guiding the movement of said frame when said controlling means is operated, g. cutter drive means disposed within said casing and operably engaged with said cutter head in the first limit position, and h. said controlling means being operable to move said support means to the second limit position to disengage said cutter head from the drive means and being further operable to return said support means to the first limit position to reengage said cutter head with said drive means.
 2. The shaver of claim 1 wherein said mounting means include means for displacing said cutter head and support means in a direction other than the direction of movement of said actuating means.
 3. The shaver of claim 1 wherein said cutter head is disposed within a cutter head receptacle in said casing in the first limit position of said support means and is elevated clear of said receptacle in the second limit position.
 4. The shaver of claim 1 wherein said controlling means include a slide member slidably mounted on the outer surface of the shaver casing, and said slide member having a portion extending into said casing and connected to said actuator plate.
 5. The shaver of claim 4 wherein detent means are provided in said casing for detenting said support means in either of said limit positions.
 6. An electric dry shaver comprising, a. a casing having a cutter head receptacle, b. support means in said casing, c. a cutter head arranged within said receptacle on said support means, d. cutter drive means within said casing and operatively engageable with said cutter head, e. means mounting said support means for movement between a pair of spaced limit positions within said casing, f. control means for moving said cutter head from one of the limit positions to the other of the limit positions whereat said cutter head is disposed out of said cutter head receptacle and said cutter head is disengaged from said drive means and further operable to restore said cutter head to said one of the limit positions whereat said cutter head is disposed in said receptacle and is in operative engagement with said drive means, g. said support means including a frame member having a pair of spaced legs depending into said casing and beneath said receptacle, said legs having opposed slots formed therein, h. said mounting means including spaced bosses on the walls of said casing, said bosses respectively slidably engaged in the slots formed in said frame member legs, and i. said control means including a manually movable slide member slidably mounted on the outer surface of said casing, said slide member having a portion extending into said casing, one of said frame member legs having an extended portion, a second slot formed in the extended portion of said frame member leg, a cam member on said extended portion of said slide member disposed in said second slot and operable to bear against the walls of said second slot to effect movement of said frame and thus the cutter head when said slide member is manually moved on said casing. 